Chinese Cucumber Salad

Chinese Cucumber Salad

4 servings
Restaurant style crunchy, refreshing cucumbers dressed in an unmistakably Chinese dressing of sesame, soy and rice vinegar. An essential accompaniment to any Chinese spread.

Ingredients

  • 1 cucumber)

    (large English/hothouse cucumber

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • 1½ tbsp rice vinegar)

    or Chinkiang vinegar (black

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp soy sauce)

    (light

  • 1 tbsp peanut oil
  • 2 garlic cloves)

    (minced

  • ½ tsp ginger)

    (minced

  • sesame seeds)

    (for garnish

Directions

  1. 1

    Cut cucumber in half, and using a teaspoon, scrape out the seeds and discard. Cut the cucumber in half lengthways and then cut into 1-inch pieces.

  2. 2

    Toss the cucumber pieces into a sieve over a bowl and then sprinkle over the salt & sugar. Mix a little and then leave for 20 minutes to let the moisture seep out.

  3. 3

    Whisk together the salt, sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, peanut oil, minced garlic and minced ginger. Set aside.

Chinese Cucumber Salad

Chinese Cucumber Salad

25 min4 servings

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Asian Cucumber Salad

Asian Cucumber Salad

<p>An easy Asian Cucumber Salad with vibrant, sweet and sour Sesame Garlic dressing. This salad is refreshing treat for all&nbsp; Cucumber Salad Lovers.&nbsp; Sliced cucumbers with quick mix of dressing, and it is The perfect addition to summer meal.&nbsp;</p><p>Dressing is vinegar based and is lite without any dairy, too-much oil, or nuts. (I'm also sharing tips to make an always-crunchy-not-watery-cucumber-salad. Don't miss to read.)</p><p><amp-img alt="Easy Sesame Cucumber Salad Recipe" height="1094" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 750px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/easy-sesame-cucumber-salad.jpg 750w" width="750"></amp-img></p><p>Today's recipe is inspired from a local Asian Dumpling restaurant. This cucumber salad is their top seller. I usually don't order simple salads for starters but a filling, layered, full-meal kinda salad is my thing. </p><p>One day, Vishal insisted me to try this Cucumber Salad. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Salad was two spiralized mini Asian seedless cucumbers with drizzle of sweet and sour dressing. With aroma of sesame oil, first sweet and sour flavor the taste buds, then crunchy cucumber and it finishes with a tiny bit lingering heat.&nbsp;</p><p>I recommend three things when trying this salad:</p><p>1. Don't skimp on dressing. Drizzle some on salad. Save some to use before eating.<br>2. Keep heat low. It does not hit taste buds until bite is finished. If unsure, try dressing with a slice of cucumber to test.<br>3. For best flavor, serve salad chilled.</p><p><amp-img alt="Tangy Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Salad" height="1124" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 750px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/tangy-cucumber-salad.jpg 750w" width="750"></amp-img></p><p><strong>Always Crunchy Cucumber Salad</strong></p><p>Even an easy Cucumber Salad such as this can get tricky when cucumber starts to release water and eventually loose crunch.</p><p>Fact is, vegetables like Cucumber, Summer Squash are filled with water. As soon as salt or acid comes in contact with sliced cucumber or zucchini, these release most water out. To prevent this (or more realistically minimize it), I use following methods to prepare a crunchy Cucumber Salad:</p><p><strong>1. Make Salad Just Before Serving:</strong></p><p>This is the easiest and simplest method ever. Make Salad Dressing and store in separate container. It stays good for more than 2 weeks. Slice cucumber slightly thick slices. Just before serving, drizzle dressing on top, and season with pinch of salt. Serve immediately.</p><p><strong>2. Salt Cure Cucumber (make cucumber giveaway most water):</strong></p><p>It is the most common method used to draw moisture out of vegetables. Slice the cucumber and sprinkle slightly with salt on both sides. Leave aside in strainer for 15-20 minutes. You will be amazed how much water 2 cucumbers yield in matter of 15-20 minutes. Once drained, then transfer to paper towel to soak extra moisture hanging outside completely. Or Pat dry with clean paper towel.</p><p><amp-img alt="Draining Water Thin Sliced Cucumber " height="1125" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 750px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/thin-sliced-cucumber.jpg 750w" width="750"></amp-img></p><p>That's it. These 20 minutes are a huge investment in making a perfect Cucumber Salad. A cucumber salad that you will not find in pool of water. This cured cucumber can be used for all kind cucumber salad. Traditional creamy, or lite such as today's recipe.</p><p><strong>Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing:</strong></p><p>A perfect Asian salad dressing is sweet, tangy and has bit of heat. You can add these three flavors with many ingredients. I used following for this recipe.</p><p>For Cucumber Salad, vinegar dressing is my favorite. It keeps salad lite, tangy, and add big punch of flavor. I used Rice Vinegar (unseasoned) which is perfect for that distinct refreshing Asian flavor. Unseasoned vinegar helps control the salt of recipe. Since dressing also has soy and sambal. It is best to use unseasoned vinegar to adjust the seasoning.</p><p>For sweetness, I use regular sugar. It is important to mix it well so it dissolved fully. You can also use honey, agave, palm nectar, or no-sugar sweet substitutes if you prefer.</p><p>Oh, have you tried my <a href="https://www.chefdehome.com/recipes/856/chinese-chicken-salad" target="_blank" title="Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe">Chinese Chicken Salad</a> with Honey-Mustard dressing? That dressing is also sweet and sour but uses mustard and honey. Must try!</p><p><amp-img alt="Spiralized Cucumber Salad with Asian Salad Dressing" height="1086" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 750px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/750/0/0/cucumber/spiralized-cucumber-salad-1.jpg 750w" width="750"></amp-img></p><p><strong>Spiralized or Thin Sliced:</strong></p><p>This salad is very forgiving. Use your favorite method of slicing cucumber. I prefer to spiralize it when serving immediately. When bringing to potluck or serving later, I prefer thick sliced cucumber.</p><p>If you love cucumber, this will be your favorite salad all summer long. Simple, easy yet bold pack-a-punch sweet-sour flavor.. It always makes a statement when I serve it to my guests. In-fact, recipe is so quick, I even make some for weekend grilling. I hope you will enjoy it as mush as we do.</p><p>Wish you a wonderful day ahead. </p><p><amp-img alt="Asian Cucumber Salad vinegar dressing makes sweet and sour salad" height="2775" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 740px, (max-width: 414px) 93vw, 96vw" src="https://media.chefdehome.com/740/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg" srcset="https://media.chefdehome.com/800/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 800w,https://media.chefdehome.com/655/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 655w,https://media.chefdehome.com/492/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 492w,https://media.chefdehome.com/310/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 310w,https://media.chefdehome.com/100/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 100w,https://media.chefdehome.com/740/0/0/cucumber/asian-cucumber-salad-chefdehome.jpg 740w" width="740"></amp-img></p><p></p>

25 minutes0 salad bowl

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About this Recipe

Craving that signature crunchy, refreshing cucumber salad you find at your favorite Chinese restaurant? This recipe brings those authentic, vibrant flavors right into your kitchen with ease, promising an essential accompaniment to any Chinese spread.

Why This Chinese Cucumber Salad Works

This recipe truly captures that sought-after "restaurant style" crunch thanks to the careful preparation of the cucumbers, ensuring they stay wonderfully crisp and never watery. The magic, however, is in the unmistakably Chinese dressing. It’s a harmonious blend of fragrant sesame oil, savory light soy sauce, and bright, tangy rice vinegar that perfectly coats every slice. This masterful balance of sweet, salty, and sour flavors, enhanced by fresh garlic and ginger, creates an invigorating taste profile that sets this salad apart from simpler versions.

You can expect a salad that is wonderfully crunchy and incredibly refreshing, delivering a burst of authentic Chinese flavors with every bite. The crisp slices of English cucumber provide the perfect canvas for a dressing that’s both complex and invigorating. You’ll taste the bright tang of the vinegar, the deep umami of the soy, and the aromatic warmth of the sesame oil, all perfectly lifted by the fresh, pungent notes of minced garlic and ginger. It’s a light yet intensely flavorful addition that beautifully complements richer main courses, cleansing the palate and adding a vibrant contrast. This dish is designed to awaken your taste buds with its vibrant profile, making it a truly essential component of any well-rounded meal.

Customization & Serving Ideas

While this recipe is perfect as written, you have the flexibility to adjust the dressing's balance to your personal preference. Feel free to tweak the amounts of rice vinegar, light soy sauce, or sesame oil to achieve your desired level of tanginess, saltiness, or nutty depth. For those seeking an even more authentic or complex flavor, consider experimenting with Chinkiang vinegar (Chinese black vinegar) in place of some or all of the regular rice vinegar; its distinctive deep, malty notes add a subtle sophistication. Always ensure your garlic and ginger are freshly minced to maximize their aromatic impact, which is crucial for the dressing’s character.

This Chinese Cucumber Salad is truly an essential accompaniment to any Chinese spread, from a quick weeknight stir-fry to an elaborate celebratory feast. Its refreshing crunch and vibrant flavors brilliantly balance out heartier main courses, preventing the meal from feeling too heavy. Don't forget to garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds just before serving for an inviting presentation and a delightful, subtle crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions